Govt. insists inquiry on track, urges Opposition not to propagate lies

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Rohini Kaviratne says an attempt is being made to suppress the ongoing investigations into the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl.

The government had interfered in the inquiry following the arrest of an influential monk in connection with the high profile inquiry, the Matale District MP alleged.

“We are closely watching the situation,” MP Kaviratne said, adding that she intended to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. “We’ll issue a strong statement on the plight of the teenager forced into prostitution and the failure on the part of those responsible to protect women and children,” MP Kaviratne said.

Answering another query, the former UNP MP urged the government to ensure an impartial and a speedy inquiry into the entire sordid case.

Referring to recent reports of law enforcement personnel sexually abusing women in police stations, MP Kavirtane said that among those who had been arrested over the rape of the teenager was a policeman. Media reports of she having had hundreds of clients in relatively a short period should prompt a thorough investigation, MP Kaviratne said, pointing out that the sex racket had taken place amidst all sorts of travel restrictions imposed in view of the raging Covid-19 epidemic.

The Island raised the issue at hand with Chairperson of Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle, who assured they would certainly take up the matter.

Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the SJB would take up the issue both in and outside Parliament. “We’ll not keep quiet if those in authority intervene on behalf of the suspects,” she said.

The MP pointed out that the Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha E.M.L. Edirisinge of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had been among those arrested; he was granted bail. She noted that the local government politician was not the only person who had received bail.

Responding to the SJB’s accusations, Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera yesterday (12) told The Island there was absolutely no basis for criticism. He asked the Opposition to reveal who on behalf of the government or his Ministry interfered in the inquiry.

Referring to the arrest of a Navy cardiologist holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander, one-time Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Weerasekera said that the police were conducting investigations. Minister Weerasekera urged the SJB not to play opportunistic politics with the issue at hand as it did with every other incident. He said the Children and Women Bureau conducted the investigation with the support of the CID.

Former IGP Chandra Fernando, speaking to The Island in his new capacity as the Chairman of the National Police Commission (NPC), emphasised that his outfit had not so far received complaints as regards shortcomings on the part of the police investigations or interventions to derail the probe. Fernando said that he had received a note from the National Child Protection Authority in that regard. The NPC could inquire into the status of the investigation, he said.

Director, Police Media, SSP Nihal Talduwa told The Island that the initial breakthrough had been made by HQI, Mount Lavinia Dileepa Perera following a tip-off received from the public. The police searched a place at Station Road where they found the girl with her brother and the two sons of her mother’s paramour. The 35-year-old man had advertised her online over the past several months without attracting the attention of regulatory authorities, SSP Talduwa said.

Among those who had been arrested so far in connection with the ongoing investigation are the girl’s mother and her paramour.

The Island raised the contentious issue of some of those who had been arrested in connection with the rape of a minor being granted bail before the completion of investigations, with Justice Ministry advisor and former President of the Sri Lanka Bar Association U.R. de Silva, PC. According to him, the Colombo Additional Magistrate Roshani Abeywickrema on July 9 had granted bail to four persons the Vice Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Saba, the Navy cardiologist and two leading businessmen after they were produced at identification parades. They were released on Rs. 25,000 cash bail and two sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. The former BASL President emphasized that once suspects appeared before identification parades, they could be released. “There cannot be any issue over that,” De Silva said. Earlier, the court granted bail to the girl’s mother.

The Police Children and Women’s Bureau Director declined to comment on the investigation. Asked whether at least she could shed light on some of those arrested receiving bail under controversial circumstances, she said that the media should contact Senior DIG Ajith Rohana.

Senior DIG Rohana said altogether nine persons had so far been granted bail. Granting bail was the prerogative of courts, he added.